[ jae-ha & varian are brothers now ? ]

[alttitude]

eventually i'll put images here

Comments

[alchemenace]

[ that doesn't make it right, but since jae-ha is changing the subject varian is going to let it happen, he guesses :/ ]

Interesting... like a, a permanent call to each other?

[alttitude]

[ little brother doesn't need to know the details of that shitty village :/ ]

Something like that - I used to be able to tell distance, and so I would constantly move myself far away from them so they wouldn't be able to find me.

The well gave me a piece of that back.

[alchemenace]

[ part of him wants to ask why he moved far away from them, but he gets the feeling he knows the answer. and, also.. ]

That... Doesn't sound so bad. But. What kind of piece?

[alttitude]

[ . . . Jae-ha seems somber for a moment before answering. It's good for Varian to know, maybe it'll be a piece of a puzzle for him, and it'll function well enough as a warning.]

I can feel their presence again - but it's far. Too far for me to reach, even if I try to leave in the direction that my blood tells me.

And it feels like they're growing weaker, slowly... but surely.

[Like they're dying - but it doesn't quite leave his mouth.]

[alchemenace]

[ hey fun fact this is the opposite of good for Varian to know! there's a stricken look on Varian's face even as he croaks out: ]

W-what, what do you mean, fading? Like, like they're...?

[ he shakes his head ]

Can't it just be a, a trick? Why would they be...?

[ say the whole word ]

[alttitude]

[Look, he's not in the habit of lying to kids.

That said, he watches the expression on Varian's face switch and he reaches out to touch his shoulder, hoping to ground him.]

- I don't know.

That's why it's probably a trick. One of the dragons isn't even meant to be able to die. [So what - he's just suffering? Jae-ha doesn't let that thought escape.] So...

It's likely just to deceive me.

[he won't say whether or not it's working]

[alchemenace]

[ He does take a breath at the hand on his shoulder, looking at that rather than directly at Jae-ha. He can't ... handle the possibility of it being true and what that could mean overall, so he'll concentrate on jae-ha's words. ]

But... Why? It's not like you could get to them any faster.

[alttitude]

A cruelty to come along with a gift - to make me regret my wish, most likely. If I keep trying to run to people that I can't find...

[He shakes his head.]

It's distracting in one of the worst ways. You should know before you go to make a wish.

[alchemenace]

[ it is good to know, and varian nods with a frown... but ]

Oh. Oh, yeah, about that, I kind of already made one of those? But thanks for the advice.

[alttitude]

[ . . . ]

So you lied.

[alchemenace]

[ o3o? ]

Technically, no? I never said I didn't try the well yet. Just that, that not knowing would make me more likely to get in trouble.

[alttitude]

[ . . . ]

I trust you not to cause trouble even if you like relying on your slips of omitted truths.

But others might not be so forgiving. Be careful with the game you're playing.

[alchemenace]

[ wow way to make him feel bad about being a little shit :/ ]

I'm not playing any games. Jae-ha, I swear, I just-- ... I just wanted to know.

[alttitude]

[ya he has to

and Jae-ha just sighs a little bit at that before giving him a smile, and ruffling Varian's hair]

Then next time just ask me. You don't need to trick me to get what you want.

[alchemenace]

[ ??????? this sounds fake??? ]

...Right. Um. Sorry.

[alttitude]

[it's actually quite true

and jae-ha hums at that, apparently quite easily appeased]

Apology accepted.

See? Much easier.

[alchemenace]

[ SO FAKE ]

... You're sure?

[alttitude]

[ ? ]

Why wouldn't I be?

[someone really must've hurt this kid,,]

[alchemenace]

[ mostly himself and his own capacity to hold grudges ]

It's-- I don't know. I let you down?

[alttitude]

[well.....]

Yeah, a little bit. But everyone lies, and you probably thought I wouldn't tell you if you didn't ask, right? Or something like that. You had a reason.

[and jae-ha doesn't see why he needs to pry for that reason.]

But you apologized, so it's fine - just don't do it again over something so small. Try and trust me a little bit more.

[alchemenace]

[ everyone lies. Varian most of all, by now. He looks away for a second. ]

I do! I do. It wasn't about that.

[ and speaking of lies-- he isn't even sure this one falls on. he wants to trust jae-ha. he does. that should count for something, shouldn't it? even if he can't tell him the truth. or anyone. ]

[alttitude]

[ . . . Jae-ha pauses and places his hand on Varian's shoulder, tilting his head.]

... it's okay if you don't trust me completely. It's hard here. I get that.

If I need to earn it, that's okay too. I don't mind.

You don't need to feel bad for whatever it is that you feel.

[alchemenace]

...

Okay, be honest with me. Are you a mind reader?

[ he is trying to lighten the mood a little ]

[alttitude]

[A happy little hum.]

Ah, was I right?

No - I've just had time to watch people. You'll get better at it as you get older.